Royal Mail staff gifted 1% shareholding

Eligible UK employees at Royal Mail have been gifted a 1% share in the organisation as the government completes the sale of its remaining 13% stake.

The government sold its remaining shareholding in Royal Mail, which employs some 143,000 staff, at the price of 455p per share. Proceeds raised from sales of all the government’s shares total £3.3 billion.

The 1% shareholding for staff brings their stake in Royal Mail to 12%. The additional stake, which was first announced in June 2015, aims to recognise and reward employees’ contribution to the organisation.

These shares were transferred to the Royal Mail share incentive plan on 17 September 2015, and allocated to eligible staff on 5 October 2015.

George Osborne, Chancellor of the Exchequer, said: “This is a milestone moment in the long and proud history of the Royal Mail.

“We are also going to recognise the hard work of the staff who have done a great job in turning the company around, and give them a 1% stake to share between them.”

Sajid Javid, business secretary, added: “This is a truly historic day for Royal Mail with the workers gaining a share of this history.”